A Dominican national residing in Saugus was indicted and extradited to the United States from the Dominican Republic to face federal charges of continuing criminal enterprise, drug trafficking, and money laundering, according to a May 18 announcement by authorities.
The indictment of Frank Maiky Baez Guerrero, age 29, follows a Homeland Security Task Force investigation. Officials say Baez Guerrero led a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating out of Massachusetts, Maine, and the Dominican Republic. Ten other members of this organization were previously indicted for related offenses. According to court documents, “these defendants regularly transported fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine from Massachusetts to Maine, rented residences to store and sell the drugs to local Maine customers, and then returned with the drug proceeds to Massachusetts.” The indictment alleges that Baez Guerrero operated this network both while present in the United States and from abroad.
The charges carry significant penalties if convicted. The charge of continuing criminal enterprise provides for a sentence ranging from 20 years up to life in prison as well as fines up to $2 million. Other charges include conspiracy related to controlled substances distribution—punishable by at least ten years up to life—and multiple counts involving distribution or possession with intent relating specifically to fentanyl, cocaine or methamphetamine that could result in five-40 years imprisonment per count. A separate charge of money laundering conspiracy carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment along with substantial fines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said valuable assistance came from numerous agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division; U.S. Marshals Service; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; several state police departments; local law enforcement agencies across Massachusetts and Maine; as well as cooperation between Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Dominican authorities regarding extradition.
This case is part of an initiative under Executive Order 14159 establishing the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). According to officials: “The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels…and human smuggling rings operating in the United States and abroad.” HSTF Boston includes agents from multiple federal departments working together on such prosecutions.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts advances community initiatives on civil rights and violence prevention through its office at Boston’s John Joseph Moakley Courthouse as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester according to the official website. The office employs over 200 attorneys alongside paralegals and professional staff serving all residents statewide while enforcing federal laws—including those against national security threats—through prosecution according to the official website.
